Energy
America is a country rich in energy resources and emerging technologies, and I support an all-of-the-above energy strategy that encourages domestic production, reduces our dependency on foreign oil and explores alternative energy solutions.
Oil and natural gas production has shaped Oklahoma’s economy since shortly after statehood, and it continues to do so today. While I am supportive of our traditional energy producers and protective of the thousands they employ, I have also supported tax credits that promote renewable energy development—like wind power—and incentivizes consumers to use renewable and alternative fuels. In addition, I believe that expediting the permitting process for liquefied natural gas exports (LNG) and lifting the 40 year-old ban on crude oil exports is essential to ensuring independence from foreign oil suppliers. We achieved that objective in the omnibus spending bill for fiscal year 2016.
Hampering domestic energy production is not the path towards a robust economy and job growth. Unfortunately, in recent years, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been busy formulating a national plan to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. Such drastic changes in energy policy would have damaging consequences for our economy, including a dramatic increase in electricity prices. As a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, I have worked with my colleagues to cut EPA funding more than 20 percent, cut back staff to 1989 levels and stop regulatory overreach.
More on Energy
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement after a federal judge ruled against the Department of the Interior’s standards for hydraulic fracking. The standards, released last year, would impose strict regulations against fracking on federal lands, where a large percentage of U.S. oil and natural gas derives from.
Tulsa World Opinion - By Harold Hamm
Oklahomans should applaud the members of our state’s congressional delegation who voted to pass the omnibus bill, which lifted the 40-year-old ban on U.S. crude oil exports and set the stage for a market recovery.
Ada News - Eric Swanson
President Barack Obama’s decision to block the Keystone XL pipeline project doesn’t stand up under scrutiny, U.S. Rep. Tom Cole said Tuesday.
“Every study we’ve had indicates that it’s safer, cheaper and more efficient to use the pipeline than to transport the oil or by rail or by truck,” the Oklahoma Republican said. “And it’s also diplomatically insulting to a country (Canada) that’s one of our very best friends in the world, a dependable ally that we’ve fought with together for a hundred years in different parts of the globe.”
Norman Transcript - Joy Hampton
Norman’s environmental activists are all smiles since President Barack Obama announced the rejection of TransCanada’s request to build the Keystone XL pipeline. While others say the decision is bad for the American economy, environmentalists are celebrating the victory as a win for the long term health of the nation and of Oklahoma which would serve as a hub for the pipeline in the Cushing area.
After nearly five years of refusing to state her opinion on the construction of the Keystone pipeline, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton finally broke her silence by declaring her opposition. In so doing, she also called the discussion of the pipeline a “distraction from important work we have to do on climate change…one that interferes with our ability to move forward with all the other issues.” I believe she is wrong on both counts.